Military continuing relief efforts amid heavy rainfall (update)

2012/06/12 21:54:26

Taipei, June 12 (CNA) Following requests from local governments, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) implemented disaster response measures by establishing emergency shelters in three military bases in Chiayi and Pingtung counties in southern Taiwan, according to a ministry press release Tuesday.

In addition, the ministry has allocated rescue equipment including 404 generators, 201 water pumps, 269 armored vehicles and 1,200 other equipment including machinery and tools, according to the release.

A southwestern front has brought torrential rain over the past three days to Taiwan causing flooding and landslides.

In response, the ministry completed a first phase of disaster relief preparations and allocation of personnel in cooperation with the Central Disaster Response Center (CDRC), the release added.

About 47,000 military personnel were on standby for flood rescue operations, according to the press release.

As of Tuesday noon, the ministry had dispatched 805 personnel and 75 vehicles to Hsinchu, Pingtung, Nantou and Chiayi counties, as well as Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, to assist with evacuations, clearing of rubble and the filling of sandbags, the release said.